384 NATURAL AND CIVIL 



and conscience : Sentiments and faith respect- 

 ing the Deity, in which none expect to find the 

 power of oppressing or ruling over others ; but 

 the same protection and benefit from the gov- 

 ernment, which they are at equal expense in 

 supporting. 



The settlement and support of the ministers 

 of religiofi, has been encouraged and assisted by 

 the government. The earliest grants of land in 

 this state, were made by Benning Wentworth^ 

 governor of New Hampshire. This gentleman 

 was of the communion of the church of Eng- 

 land. In the grants of land that were made by 

 him, there were three rights in each township • 

 reserved for religious purposes : One to the 

 society for propagating the gospel in foreign 

 parts ; one for a glebe, designed for the use of 

 an episcopal clergy ; ; a third for the" first set- 

 tled minister, intended for his private property, 

 -to encourage the settlement of a minister in the 



O 



new plantations. In the grants of townships 

 which have been made by the government of 

 Vermont, two rights have been reserved for the 

 support of the clergy : One for a parsonage, de- 

 signed for the support of a minister, and una- 

 lienable from that purpose ; another to become 

 the property, and designed to encourage the 

 settlement of the first minister. This right ac- 

 crues to the first clergyman who is settled in 

 the town, of whatever denomination he may be. 

 'i'he salary of the minister ariseth wholly from 

 the contract which the people may make with 

 him. These contracts are altogether voluntary : 

 But when made, by a law passed Qctober 18, 

 1787, are considered as being of equal force 



